The day hiking gear list is much lighter than the overnight gear list, but should still have many survival essentials, in case you end up needing to spend extra time in the woods. Getting lost, getting injured, or simply having your hike take longer than expected could have you needing gear that you did not expect to need.

Water: Assuming you are hiking in an area with plenty of natural water supplies, pack about a liter of water, and bring along a purification system. Iodine tabs are great because they come in a tiny bottle that weighs only about one ounce. Another option is a small filter. This is heavier, but leaves the water tasting better.

Food: Bring enough food for at least a day longer than you expect to be on the trail. This does not need to be complicated, just throw a few extra candy bars in your day pack, for example. It’s just about survival. You don’t want to get weak because you are suffering from hunger after you have gone 12 or 18 hours without food.

Clothing: Pack a change of clothing, in case the set you are wearing gets wet. Also, pack something warm enough to get you through the night if something happens requiring you to stay out there. An example would be, in the summer, pack a sweater, fleece pants and a hat. Keep your spare clothes in a plastic bag. Pack rain gear, even if rain is not predicted.

Navigation: Always carry a compass and a detailed map of the area you are hiking in. It is very easy to find yourself off of your intended trail, and once this happens it is even easier to get disoriented. A compass and a map can tell you which direction to go to get back to the trail, or to a road, etc. If you have a GPS, bring it, but also pack that compass, because a GPS could fail for a number of reasons.

First Aid: Pack a small first aid kit. There are some very good, lightweight options available at outdoor supply stores.

Before you leave, let someone know your intended route, so if something happens, they can effectively initiate a search for you. By all means, be prepared. You can start by checking out a guide that shows you how to pack emergency gear, that will keep you alive.

What you should wear when you are hiking depends on a number of factors. Time of year, terrain, the weight of your gear, current weather, among others all factor in. This article will focus on a typical summer day hike on easy to moderate terrain.

For an easy summer day hike, the conditions will probably be warm, you probably won’t have a lot of weight on your back, and the terrain probably won’t be too technically challenging. In these conditions, wear a non-cotton lightweight wicking t-shirt. This will pull the sweat away from your body, help you stay cool while you’re hiking, and will dry quickly when you stop. Wear a non-cotton pair of comfortable shorts with plenty of large zip or button pockets for small pieces of gear you want quickly accessible, like a map and a compass.

You should forego the heavy weight hiking boots, and instead go with trail running shoes, or even road running shoes. Both are much lighter and will keep you happier after you have gone a few miles. Trail running shoes tend to have much grippier soles, but are a little heavier. You can wear cotton socks, but be sure to pack an extra pair or two.

If you sweat a lot, you can wear a bandana, an elastic sweat band, or a baseball cap to keep the sweat from dripping in your eyes, which can be very painful. Don’t underestimate the amount of sweating you will do.

Protect yourself from UV exposure by wearing a high SPF, sweat proof sun block, and sunglasses. Finally, wear or bring along some bug repellent. Nothing ruins a hike faster than having to swat at mosquitoes constantly.